[sabahan]

I've read that most ppl got a job while they are inside New Zealand so I suppose they must've brought along their academic certificates with them when they came over on tourist visa. My question is my friends have been advising me against doing so as the immigration officer will be suspicious of my entry into New Zealand to look for a job so may even bar me from entering the country. Pls advise if it's ok to bring my certs along as I'm certain employers need to have a look at them before employing someone.

[speckythecky]

Take them with you. Unless they do a complete search of your luggage they would not find them and it is not illegal to travel with certificates anyway

[Rizak]

It also can't be illegal to LOOK for a job on a tourist visa.
It just means that you can't do it professionally.

[willowshouse]

This is a fairly common topic of discussion and I have not seen one post from anybody who has actually had their luggage searched or been stopped and asked difficult questions because they were carrying personal documents.

I personally have arrrived in NZ with all my docs twice on a tourist visa - they ask you questions about why you are coming to NZ and as long as you do not say you are coming to work, you are OK.

Maybe we could set some minds at rest .. if you arrived in NZ on a tourist visa with a load of luggage and all your personal docs AND you had no problems getting through immigration - please say "Aye".

And of course if you had problems feel free to post .. (but I have asked that before and no-one replied......) :roll

[KerryS]

I've never been asked for my certificates for any job I've applied for. And I worked in academia when I first arrived too...

[marcia]

When we came on our reccy trip we had CV's, letters of reference, certificates etc. The immigration officer asked what we were doing in NZ, and we said on holiday, and doing a spot of racing which was true, we just omitted to say also a reccy trip and job search!!!

You will do the immigration officer bit before you pick up your luggage anyway, unless you have it all in your hand luggage, but the immigration officer isn't the one who does the bag searchs, its the MAF and customs people, who are looking for other 'stuff'.

Don't worry, and if you are asked out right you can say you are trying to secure work before emmigrating, it isn't a crime! :nice1

[nippa&pippa]

We also brought all our docs with us for job interviews during reccie...no problem at chch airport's immigration too. Just mention that we on the holiday and visiting a sister in auckland later.

[sabahan]

Thanks a lot folks for d useful info. I think I would go along with bringing my certs with me. My initial plan is to apply for seasonal work permit (work in orchards) and then only call up prospective employers for interviews. Or is it better to secure the services of employment agencies? Wish me luck :-)